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WSPS.CA | 2021 HEALTH & SAFETY LEADERSHIP SURVEY WHITE PAPER 11 2020 HEALTH & SAFETY LEADERSHIP SURVEY REVEALS THAT LEADING ORGANIZATIONS WERE BETTER ABLE TO COPE WITH THE EVENTS OF 2020 BECAUSE OF THE STRONG CULTURE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THEIR WORKPLACES IN PLACE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. When the inaugural Health and Safety Leadership Survey was released last year, we were viewing the results through the lens of a recently-declared global pandemic. No one knew how it would play out, how long it would last, or that it would forever change the way we interact and behave in our homes, communities, and workplaces. The pandemic has seeped into every corner of the world, killing millions of people, devastating businesses and communities. It has taught us tragic lessons about the need to be prepared, and it has moved health and safety discussions from "what if" to "when." The 2020 results reveal the massive transformation that has occurred as a result. In a year, many organizations have re-engineered their operations, including workspace design, policies and procedures, engagement practices, supply chain management, and, of course, occupational health and safety. Leaders are becoming more vocal about health and safety, OHS managers are playing a larger role in planning and decision making, communication efforts have been amplified to ensure that employees—many who find themselves working remotely for the first time in their careers—remain healthy, safe, engaged, and meaningfully connected to the organization and their colleagues. Mental health and stress are critical concerns as anxiety, stress, burnout, isolation, loneliness and depression have become very real risks for a significant portion of the workforce. Employers find themselves running a marathon that won't end, trying to keep up with new health protocols and government- mandated requirements. Not to mention the challenge of meeting their obligation to protect employees' physical and mental health from afar. COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY SAVES LIVES One of the most significant stories that this year's numbers tell is that Leading organizations coped fairly well with the pandemic because of their strong safety culture. Due to their commitment to health and safety prior to the pandemic, 76% of these organizations reported low or reduced infection rates compared to 41% of respondents in less developed categories. It's also not a surprise that there was a shift in the top five business challenges. Crisis response, preventing injuries and illness, and mental health occupied the top three spots. Mental health was a new entry on the list. It was identified as an emerging trend last year but didn't make it to that year's top priority list. In the face of the crisis, regulations and red tape, and remaining competitive fell off the list completely. INTRODUCTION

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